At Marjorie, owner Donna Moodie serves food to nurture community. The name pays tribute to Donna’s mother, celebrating her ability to bring people together to enjoy “scratch” cooking and warm hospitality. The Central District restaurant’s eclectic menu celebrates the flavors of the Pacific Northwest alongside global influences.

Marjorie Products

Story
Donna Moodie began her love affair with food and entertaining at a young age, watching her mother, Marjorie, host themed dinner parties at their home. She always had a “room for one more attitude”, to the point that guests would sit on the floor, plates in their laps, with jazz, Calypso, and early R&B and Reggae music in the background. “They always seemed fun and spontaneous,” Donna reminices. “The house was full of joy and positive energy.” Donna got her first restaurant job at 18 to help pay for college. “I felt very at home,” she says. While she has no formal training as a chef, she’s been in the industry ever since. “It’s an environment that always nurtures my spirit and soul.”
After Lush Life, which she had run with her ex-husband and business partner, Donna knew she needed a total transition, a spiritual cleansing of her life as a restauranteur. “I realized that I wanted to honor and pay tribute to the source of my infatuation with food and entertaining,” she says. And so in 2003 Marjorie was born. The funky yet elegant restaurant boasts a bright, colorful interior, with garage doors that open onto a lush and enchanting patio. The menu features creative, delicious plates that reflect the seasons and flavors of the Pacific Northwest. Donna consciously sources ingredients from local farmers and decor from local artists to cultivate community relationships and provide the best food and experience possible.
When she’s not at Marjorie, Donna gives back to the Seattle community in numerous other ways. “It was a goal of mine after the Trump election to become involved in more local, community efforts, and to seek a role that plays to my strengths and allows my time to be a successful contribution,” Donna says. Previously on the CDForum Board and Century 21 Committee at the Seattle Center, Donna is now involved with Capitol Hill Housing, Central Area Land Use Review Committee, and the Mayor’s Small Business Advisory Council. In the midst of all this, Marjorie is her crown jewel. “I take delight in knowing that I curated this experience, and it seems almost impossible for this to be owned by a black woman, born in Jamaica, raised between Kingston and Englewood in Chicago’s Southside. It’s a feeling of accomplishment.”
Fun Fact
On top of everything else, Donna is an avid paddle boarder, regularly embarking on outings from Leschi to Mercer Island!
Business Owner
Donna Moodie

Recommendations:

  1. The Plantains are reason enough to visit Marjorie Restaurant but there is also the friendly service, helpful staff and so much more tasty food try. Donna is friendly and warm member of the community. The Chef Tasting Menu To Go was incredible.

Leave a Recommendation